There have been many occasions during the preseason where we have watched our beloved Oilers play some less than inspired hockey. Remembering the absolute collapse down the stretch last year, we have this sickly feeling from time to time deep down in the pit of our stomach. No, it isn’t the morning Colt 45-old pizza combination wreaking havoc on our nervous system. It’s these ding dang Oilers and their lack of identity or fire. But unlike last season there is one thing that gives us hope early on in the season: the new coaching staff led by Pat Quinn.

The offseason addition of co-coaches Tom Renney and Pat Quinn came as a surprise to everyone in the OilersNation, except Robin Brownlee who famously predicted waaaay back in May that exactly this would happen:

I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Tambellini hire a head coach and an associate coach in tandem, then fill out the bench roster by adding an assistant or two. Why not Pat Quinn as head coach and Tom Renney as his associate?

Pat Quinn = Good Coach

It’s no secret that Pat Quinn has a sterling record coaching to say the least. Quinn is the winningest active coach in the NHL, and 5th all time with 657 wins. Even more tantalizing for Oilers fans Quinn's record includes 11 first round playoff wins in 16 seasons. He has a .569 career winning percentage, despite the unenviable task of coaching the Leafs and the Canucks. He is also believed to be the inventor of the horseshoe drill, cherry flavored Gatorade and coined the term "making the cut" back in 1874.

When Quinn took the helm of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1998-99 season he took the team from a 30-43-9 record to a 45-30-7 record the very next season, where they ultimately lost in the Conference Finals to the Sabres. Goals for jumped by 38% that year and all those people in suits in Toronto were able to look down their noses at each other during three long playoff series.

But Wanye

We can hear people already "but WAAAAAANYE, how can you compare the 2009-10 Oilers to the 1998-99 Maple Leafs? It's like comparing apples to hornets! They had CuJo and Mats Sundin! We have JDD and JFJ! To say nothing of the many contributions Lonny Bohonos made that season with his three goals in seven games! Quinn can't be expected to craft gold out of mud can he?"

We think that a proven winner can step in and make an impact on this underachieving Oilers squad and that all of the pundits that have weighed on so far on the Oilers chances this season are selling the new regime short. Both TSN and THN project the Oilers at a heart pounding 11th place at season's end. Predictions mean about as much as an honorary degree in Chemistry bestowed upon Lindsay Lohan, but we will get to that when our own predictions come out later in the week. We think the Oil are being sold short.

Back to right now

"We have some guys that aren't leaders that are veterans. They've hung around because they know how to play, but we need our veterans to care more about the other people around them," he said. "Some guys don't have time for that. They're busy with themselves."

You have to hand it to Quinn for making statements that are this bold early on in the season. Remember just a few short years back when the veteran Oilers were readily blocking shots with their grills? Remember how they were richly rewarded with legacy contracts and we could all sleep tightly knowing that there was a specific brand of Oilers hockey and that our long term veterans would guard it carefully before it could be handed over to the crop of young hotshots lighting the world on fire?

What happened to those good ol' days? How have things fallen to the point where the incoming Coaching staff assess the scenarios and come up with the conclusion above? Who are these veterans Quinn is lambasting?

In our humble opinion you can't win games on Coaching alone. The fact Barry Melrose wasn’t able to immediately right the Good Ship Lightning speaks to that point very well. But on a team searching for an identity, with veterans "busy with themselves" and the youth searching to find their places in the world, it is clear that there is a sincere desire on the part of the Team to bring a new message into RX1 and rebuild anew. And the guy leading the charge has more NHL wins under his belt than Paris Hilton has had bed partners.

And that right there is the only thing that gives us hope.

Somewhere this guy is breathing a sigh of relief that this season isn't about to go down on his watch.

Blog so hard motherf**ckers try and find me.
Tweet me @wanyegretz provided it is about Jordan Eberle or babes. Find me on instagram for photos of donairs.

I'm curious to see how long players will be given a chance to prove themselves and adjust to a new system and a new regime and blah blah blah™.

After ______ games or weeks or whatever, how hard do they hit the block and get some fresh faces? I love the new faces on the bench, been waiting for this for years now.

How long does someone like Chopper have to prove himself to this staff? Obviously he plays with emotion, but the plays part is where he usually lets us down. It usually works out to takes penalties with emotion ...

A healthy Visnovsky and more accountability will lead us to the playoffs. There is no doubt in mu mind that Quinn will shove said accountability in a variety of Oiler orifices as the need presents itself.

Here's hoping we play perennial choke artists San Jose in the first round. Also, why does Dany Heatley only have one 'N' in his name? Was his Momma really that poor?...

I’ve checked on the back end of the database. This is the real Robin Brownlee.
I love this site.

Fine it's funny when Robin does it. Can we all declare him the winner and move on then? You know this is just going to encourage all the children out there to keep on with this, right? Today, Bingofuel is one step closer to an aneurysm . . .

Just bring on the season already. Also, what ever happened to everybody stating in the first two day, why drag it out to the third day to start the majority of teams. I gotta wait till Saturday to see the Oilers!...

This really made my day, just because of whom it came from. As for the Oilers, I really see them sneaking into the playoffs and go at least six games in the series against whomever they play. I hope it's the Sharks and Danny Boy loses his front teeth because of a Souray shot.

Did anyone catch MacT on the TSN prediction panel last night? He still loves the Oil...predicted a playoff appearance and masterfully did NOT let Mcguire get the last word on how the kids had 'abandoned' him last year. I love it when Mcguire is speechless...

Not sure how to embed the link - but it's on TSN's media player.

Our team has the element of surprise this year - no one expects us to win. Hopefully our mix of old age and treachery along with youth and skill will get us to the playoffs...

After much thought - oooh my head hurts
and reading my empty tea cup - what your not supposed to us tea bags,
and reading the entrails of the pre-versated chicken I cooked,
and consulting my 1984 oilers media guide. I predict the Oilers finish 1st in the division.

Did anyone catch MacT on the TSN prediction panel last night? He still loves the Oil…predicted a playoff appearance and masterfully did NOT let Mcguire get the last word on how the kids had ‘abandoned’ him last year. I love it when Mcguire is speechless…
Not sure how to embed the link – but it’s on TSN’s media player.

Brodziak is no glitz, lots of grit
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/62997452.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

The Wild forward is a blue-collar stalwart who works relentlessly to improve his game -- and to win. Coach Todd Richards grabbed him quickly when he was available... Brodziak contributed a goal and three assists in six preseason games. Richards now uses other labels to describe him, including trustworthy, versatile and professional. That's exactly the impression the unassuming Brodziak hoped to make, no matter what role he plays... Brodziak can play center or wing. He's handy in the faceoff circle and tenacious on the penalty kill. He's already popular in the locker room, and he gives the Wild a valuable presence as a center with a right-handed shot... Richards prizes his low maintenance factor, as well as his steady energy.